Series Preview: Cards, Naturals Meet Again Tied Up
Published on July 25, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
When the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Springfield Cardinals last began a four-game series at Arvest Ballpark, it was May 7th, and the two teams were in exactly the same position they currently find themselves in: tied for first place in the Texas League's North Division with five weeks remaining in the half. As fate would have it, the Naturals were unable to sustain that pace through the duration of the first half and ended up looking up at Springfield, in part because of a difficult day on June 14th that saw the Naturals drop both ends of a double-header. The Naturals needed to gain ground on the Cards with the first-half slipping away, and in a must-win double-header came up empty facing rehabbing St. Louis Cardinals' starters Mark Mulder and Matt Clement. For their part, the Cardinals came up empty as well, as three nights later in North Little Rock, they blew three different leads in a game that ultimately decided which team would get the first-half playoff spot.
Alas, neither the Cards nor the Naturals locked up a playoff spot, and, along with the Tulsa Drillers, look to be heading into the final month of the season in a near-dead heat. While the just-departed Drillers will have to cope with the loss of two of their players (OF Dexter Fowler and RHP Casey Weathers) to Team USA for a month, the Cardinals (and the Naturals) did not lose any players to the Olympic team. Right-hander Jess Todd, who starred for the Razorbacks in the 2007 SEC tournament against nationally ranked #9 University of South Carolina and has been very solid for the Cardinals, was considered for Team USA but not ultimately selected. Todd struck out 17 batters in just eight innings, setting both school and SEC tournament records. Since his early May promotion to Double-A, Todd has pitched in the Texas League All-Star game, participated for the US Team in the All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium, and posted a 2.45 ERA in 84 1/3 innings (14 appearances, 13 starts), striking out 64 batters and walking just 18 despite having just three wins to show for it. He has been, however, decidedly average in the month of July, posting a 1-2 record and 5.14 ERA. Todd is 1-1 against the Naturals this month and will face Northwest Arkansas on Monday night here at Arvest Ballpark. The Cardinals roster also includes former Hogs infielder Casey Rowlett and also catcher Matt Pagnozzi, who is the nephew of former Cardinals' catcher Tom Pagnozzi. Springfield has a fairly balanced attack--their pitching staff is ranked second (4.21 ERA), and their team average is fourth (.271). The Cards are fourth in the loop in runs scored (510).
Springfield's roster continues to have several of St. Louis' Top 30 prospects according to Baseball America, and three are also former first-round selections. RHP Adam Ottavino (#6), the Cards' first round pick in 2006, has pitched better recently after a horrible start to the year in April and May. Tyler Herron (#10), who will start Saturday, is the first-round selection from 2005, and INF Tyler Greene (#29), who has been a tough out for the Naturals all season (.318, 7 homers), rounds out the impressive list of first-round talent coming through with Springfield. Other Top-30 prospects include OF John Jay (#11), Todd (#12), 3B Allen Craig (#15), INF Jose Martinez (#17), RHP Mark McCormick (#25), 1B Mark Hamilton (#27), and RHP Luke Gregorson (#28). McCormick and Hamilton are amongst several players on the Springfield DL who will miss the series.
Tonight's pitching matchup pits Naturals' lefty Rowdy Hardy against Springfield righty Kyle Mura. Friday, RHP Julio Pimentel will face LHP Justin Fiske for the Cards. Saturday, Naturals RHP Blake Johnson will oppose right-hander Tyler Herron for Springfield, and the series wraps Monday with RHP Dan Cortes facing former Hog Jess Todd.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website also offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
Texas League Stories from July 25, 2008
- Mazzaro Masterful Again - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Cards Fall From First - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Rally Falls Short - Tulsa Drillers
- Kaaihue's Small Ball Gives Naturals Big Lift - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Series Preview: Cards, Naturals Meet Again Tied Up - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
